04:00 Emirates Melbourne Cup 2m

Green Moon eclipses Melbourne Cup rivals at Flemington

Last Updated: 06/11/12 10:20am

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Green Moon: Melbourne Cup won by home challenger

Green Moon won the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington as the European party largely disappointed.

The son of Montjeu, formerly trained in England by Harry Dunlop, flashed past the long-time leader Glencadam Gold a furlong and a half from home under an assured ride from Brett Prebble and scored by a length.

Another British export, Fiorente, came with a flying late run on his first run for Gai Waterhouse but could only just get to the winner's tail.

Marco Botti's Jakkalberry fared best of foreign raiders in third, but was some distance away from the impressive winner, and he finished a couple of places ahead of Mount Athos, who flew from the rear under Ryan Moore.

Glencadam Gold enjoyed an uncontested lead from the outset but initiated an admittedly humdrum gallop off which the major European players like last year's first and second, Dunaden and Red Cadeaux, had no answers.

Waterhouse's trailblazer fleetingly looked the winner, until the smooth-travelling Green Moon swooped to conquer in the hands of Prebble to land the race for trainer Robert Hickmott.

"It's the pinnacle of racing in Australia," said the winning jockey. "I've had some great highs here, but you don't get any higher than reaching the pinnacle.

"If he sustained the journey, nothing was going to go with him. It's very emotional and it's going to last for a long time."

Nick Williams, son of victorious owner Lloyd Williams, said: "It's terrific. "I'm so proud for all of our team at the farm.

"It's another Melbourne Cup win for 'Team Williams'.

"We've put a lot of money in and a hell of a lot of effort so to get this result is terrific.

"I'm so excited and so happy for all our people."

Botti was proud of Jakkalberry, but was left to rue a lack of pace in the race.

He said: "He ran a very good race, but he probably could have done with the pace being a bit quicker.

"He stayed on very well. It's been a fantastic adventure and I knew I'd left a bit of improvement in the horse.

"I had him at his best today.

"He's got an invitation for the Japan Cup and we can also think about Hong Kong, but we'll see how he comes out of this first.